A young couple and their two little girls, caught up in two jobs and two schools, and two houses, needed one home of their own to bond together, grow up and make memories in; a home of simplicity to be decorated by each of their discovering individualities. This vernacular home embraces nurturing and forgiving spaces for varying emotions and conflicts; to unite as Akam (അകം- Malayalam transl. core/ inside/ mind/ soul) of the family.
“To call this structure home is to whole-heartedly dwell into its many symphonies. The earthy and natural built-up makes you feel rooted to your land.”- Nishal Sevak(Co-Editor)
This Vernacular Home Embraces Nurturing And Forgiving Spaces For Varying Emotions | Ishtika
Visit : Ishtika
The 9.45 cents plot, one of many carved out into the windward side of a small hill in the urban outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, overlooks the valley on the East and has a 3.3m wide access street to the West.
The house is stacked with several layers of open and semi-open spaces that peel away as one traverses from the entry to the core of the house.
A plastered white wall metaphorically façades the view of the private yards of the house from the public and these open spaces transition into semi-open verandahs.
From the front open court one can enter into an elaborate Poomukham (പൂമുഖം- Malayalam transl. sit-out) that can host a small gathering or many of the activities of the residents like dance, yoga, or even playtime.
This cozy sit-out demands to be sat in, demands a pause, a moment of stillness, before entering into the enclosed parts of the house through the main door.
Inside, the enclosure is stretched and the volume is expanded into an internal courtyard rising two-storeys high.
The family living room and dining area has an internal court on one side and a verandah on the other with a view of the valley.
The floor plan is conceived in a basic ‘T’ shape with family/common spaces, which is given priority to ensure more family time, along the spine and private zones, like bedrooms and kitchen, on the arms
At the end of the hallway, there is a stairway leading to the first floor and a kitchenette that extends into the kitchen on one arm and the guest bedroom and the common toilet on the other. The first floor has two bedrooms on either arm and a living room in the center.
The verandah on the east broadens towards the south to become a semi-open living area, which is separated from the sit-out by an outdoor court with a pond. This area stands on top of a rainwater harvesting tank of 3500L capacity.
Free flow of light and air is ensured throughout the house using jalis, pergolas, air shafts, and louvered windows. Direct openings are avoided to the west to reduce heat gain.
The western wall of bedrooms is a double wall of thin exposed concrete on the outside and bricks inside with an air gap in the middle and a vent on the roof. An attempt was made to reuse and upscale old wood and roof tiles, adding to the charm of the house.
Fact File
Designed by : Ishtika
Project Type : Residential Architecture Design
Project Name : Akam House
Location : Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Year : 2021
Area : 2300 Sq.ft
Principal Architect : Jinoj Mathidharan
Photography Credits : Prahlad Gopakumar
Firm’s Instagram Link : Ishtika
Firm’s Facebook Link : Ishtika
Source : Archdaily
For Similar Project >> Veeram Shah’s Latest Architectural Masterpiece “Enclosure”, A Courtyard House
This bungalow style house influences the site context and can be visualised in multiple facades of sharp edges & cuboidal form. Her,e salient features like U-Projection are an expression of the bench on a level one. The house divides itself into three bays. On the ground floor, where first bay acquire all public activities like […]
Imagine yourself on the terrace of your hidden mountain retreat, drinking a fresh cup of coffee as you admire the sunrise emerging from behind the rolling hills across the valley. This serene atmosphere is exactly what Hello Wood’s latest project, the Console House, is designed to offer. The Console House showcases modern architecture design while […]
As cities continue to grow and evolve, there is a growing desire to incorporate elements of rural living into urban design. By embracing rural living principles, cities can create more eco-friendly and sustainable spaces. Rural living is not just about wide-open spaces and rolling hills. It’s also about community, sustainability, and a connection to nature. […]
Located in the thriving city of Ichalkaranji, this is an example of luxury residences is a seamless blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. The striking exterior, adorned with brick and natural stone cladding, exudes warmth, character, and permanence. These rich textures create a visually captivating façade, harmonizing tradition with contemporary design while making a […]
Throughout history, stone has embodied permanence, artistry, and raw beauty in architecture. From the grandeur of Roman amphitheaters to the earthy elegance of modern villas, stone remains a beloved material for its strength, sustainability, and aesthetic richness. As design trends evolve toward natural materials, eco-conscious decisions, and biophilic design, stone has found new expressions — […]
The space adopts a biophilic office design and climate-responsive approach, creating a workspace that reimagines urban interiors by deeply embedding them with nature. The style is earthy, minimal, and modern with a strong contextual sensitivity to its location. Also, a lush canopy surrounds the bare-shell site on the first floor, allowing for abundant daylight and […]
The design started from an old house where a family of seven stood, one yet to be born. Hari & Sreelakshmi, Usha-Hari’s mother, Malathi, teacher, Hari’s grandmother, kids, Sankari, Paru, and yet to be born Sreebala. Four generations living in a 60-year-old house that had begun to show its age with dimly lit rooms, leaking […]
The clients’ requirement was to create a wellbeing centre at Oleander Farms, Karjat, Maharashtra, that would be a tranquil sanctuary for their visitors. Walking through a dense canopy of trees, hearing the soft chirping of birds, we slowly embarked on an expanse of a 2-acre of land that was both open yet heavily tree-laden. This […]
The thought was to create a space which would act as a formal real estate workspace in the daytime and a family retreat in the evening. By its name, as it is, ‘Leveled. This office with a garden is defined using levels, in terms of volumes, surfaces as well as edges. These levels are rationalized […]
Nirmay (निर्मय) reflects purity and holistic well-being. Envisioned as a quiet sanctuary amidst the noise of urban life, these courtyard villas offer a way of living that is calm, conscious, and deeply connected to the land. Rooted in sustainability and ecological harmony, the design responds to both nature and the everyday rhythms of its inhabitants. […]